Majanka Verstraete's Blog, page 337
January 21, 2013
Book Review: The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto
The Haunting Seasonis the second book I’ve read by Michelle Muto. I really enjoyed the first book, Don’t Fear The Reaper, so I was eager to start reading this one. It’s not in the same series – The Haunting Season is a stand-alone.
The plot is original, even though it vaguely reminded me of The Haunting. A bunch of teenagers are chosen as test subjects to live in a supposed haunted mansion for a month. In The Haunting, the premise was the same, but the execution is very different. Here we have...
January 19, 2013
Book Review: Hair Side, Flesh Side by Helen Marshall
Hair Side, Flesh Sideis a lyrical short story collection ranging from slightly humorous stories to downright horrifying tales. What they have in common is that all of them are strange, and are somewhat related to the human body. It’s a loose thread though, considering I wouldn’t even place some of these stories under the same genre. It’s dark fiction, yes, but I would’ve preferred if I could classify all of them under ‘horror’ or ‘bizar’, not a mix-match of things. I was continuously looking...
Book Review: The Exemeus by Folami and Abeni Morris
I thought dystopian wasn’t for me. I thought I’d seen it all when I read The Hunger Games, enjoyed it, but then suffered endlessly as the book was turned into a movie and the dystopian hype began. Book after book set in said genre passed my review cue, and I thought it would never end.
After reading The Exemeus, I’m glad it didn’t. I’m glad that, despite how I felt baout the genre, I gave this one a shot. Because it was awesome.
Hyalee is the greastest warrior Trepton has ever known. But she’s...
January 17, 2013
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was on my to-see list ofr this year. I loved The Lord of The Rings, although I didn’t like the first one all that much (too much traveling, not enough action). But my boyfriend assured me The Hobbit was better, so I was eager to see it. Without reading the book.
The story starts years, if not centuries, before the events in Lord of The Rings. Bilbo Baggings is a young hobbit reluctant to go on an adventure. But then, like I vaguely suspected, Gandalf turns up...
January 16, 2013
Book Review: Fiona Thorn and The Carapacem Spell by Jen Barton
Fiona Thorn and The Carapacem Spell is the first book in a series based on Fiona Thorn, an orphan girl who likes things that explode and who hates annoying princesses. The series is set in a magical kingdom, with other fantastical creatures such as faeries, cave bodkins, witches and more. The story starts off with Fiona, who’s trying to free her best friend Jayden from prison where he’s locked up after he’s been wrongfully accused of placing a curse on a young boy. Fiona intends to break him...
Book Review: In A Small Town by Marc A. Di Giacomo
In A Small Town tells the not-so-small story of police detective Matthew Longo. Whenwe first meet him, he’s been shot. He wasn’t even on the job at the time, and the experience left him more than a little spooked. The small town of Hutchville is filled with criminals in all shapes and sizes from pedophiles to murderers to wifebeaters to drug dealers. But Matthew has no idea who is after him this time around, and that’s what worries him. His opponent has no face, instead he’s a shadow. And as...
January 15, 2013
Starter Day Party Shifty Business
I’m happy to announce the starter day party for Shifty Business today, a paranormal romance novel.
Tour Schedule
January 15th: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading
January 16th: Book Excerpt @ Hollow Readers
January 18th: Author Interview @ Majanka’s Blog
January 20th: Book Review @ Classy Me Books
January 22nd: Book Excerpt @ The Book Daily
January 24th: Author Interview @ Cassidy Crimson’s Blog
January 26th: Book Review @ I’m an eclectic reader
January 28th: Book Excerpt @ Bookaholic Ramblings
January...
Book Review: Shadow of Time by Jen Minkman and Giveaway
As an avid reader of paranormal romance, I sometimes think I’ve seen it all. I’ve read numerous books on angels, demons, shapeshifters, vampires, and the rest of them. Even if the plot is original, it’s always the same paranormal creatures making an appearance.
Then, every once in a while, something else comes up. Something unique and original, and about ten times as enjoyable as the generic paranormal romance books. Shadow of Time is one of these unique books with an original concept that tri...
January 12, 2013
Book Review: Blue Violet by Abigail Owen
Ellie and her twin brother Griffin aren’t typical teenagers. They may look like they are, but in fact they’ve been around for over a hundred years. They’re part of the Svatura, a supernatural race who live a prolonged life. But most of the Svatura, at least the tribe Ellie and Griffin belonged to, have been murdered a long time ago by their natural enemies, the Vyusher. The Svatura normally live in tribes, because each other’s presence enhances their powers. Unfortunately the Vyusher have mad...
January 11, 2013
Book Review: Marking Time by April White
Marking Timeis one of the best books I’ve ever read. Ever. Seeing as this comes from the girl who averages between 150 and 200 books read a year, that’s saying something. April White has a remarkable talent for creating strong, realistic characters, amazing fantasy settings and intriguing, surprising plots. Needless to say I’m more than a little amazed by the author’s ability to combine all three of these elements into one book. I read Marking Time in about three days, in the middle of univer...
